# 2024 Challenge Cup

The 2024 Challenge Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup, is the 123rd edition of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout cup tournament in British rugby league, run by the Rugby Football League (RFL). It began over the weekend of 13–14 January 2024, and ended with the final, at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June.
The cup was won by Wigan Warriors who beat Warrington Wolves 18–8 before a 64,000 crowd at Wembley.
Wigan's Bevan French was awarded the Lance Todd Trophy.
Leigh Leopards were the defending champions, having won the 2023 Final, defeating Hull Kingston Rovers 17–16 in extra time. They were eliminated in the quarter finals, losing 16–24 to Hull KR.

## Background

The competition started on 13 January, and concluded with the final on 8 June.
The Championship and League One clubs joined the tournament in round 3. Rounds 4 and 5 reduced the lower league clubs to four before the Super League clubs enter in round 6.
Toulouse Olympique of the Championship are not full members of the RFL and although invited to take part have declined as in previous years.

### Format and dates

Challenge Cup competition format :
| Round | Date | Clubs involved this round | Winners from previous round | New entries this round | Leagues entering at this round |
| Round 1 | 13–14 January | 20 | None | 20 | 20 UK based community, and armed forces league teams |
| Round 2 | 27–28 January | 20 | 10 | 10 | 10 teams from National Conference League Premier Division |
| Round 3 | 10–11 February | 32 | 10 | 22 | All teams (except Toulouse) from the Championship and League One |
| Round 4 | 22 – 25 February | 16 | 16 | None |
| Round 5 | 7–10 March | 8 | 8 | None |
| Round 6 | 22–24 March | 16 | 4 | 12 | All 12 teams from the Super League |
| Quarter-finals | 12–14 April | 8 | 8 | None | None |
| Semi-finals | 18 –19 May | 4 | 4 |
| Final | 8 June | 2 | 2 |

## First round

The draw for the first round was made by Josh Charnley on 5 December 2023. Ties were played over the weekend of 13 and 14 January 2024.
Challenge Cup round 1 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Royal Air Force | 22–28 | Royal Navy | 13 January, 12:30 | RAF Cranwell | T. Jones | Not given |
| Lowca | 22–28 | Edinburgh Eagles | 13 January, 13:30 | West Croft Terrace, Whitehaven | L. Seal | Not given |
| South Wales Jets | 04–40 | Stanningley | 13 January, 13:30 | Wales Rugby Club, Cardiff | J. Jones | Not given |
| Doncaster Toll Bar | 22–20 | Ashton Bears | 13 January, 13:30 | Doncaster Toll Bar Sports Club | D. Geddes | Not given |
| Clock Face Miners | 22–20 | Heworth | 13 January, 13:30 | Clock Face Miners Recreation | W. Turley | Not given |
| Fryston Warriors | 13–10 | British Army | 13 January, 14:00 | Fryston Social Club | C. Hughes | Not given |
| Oulton Raiders | 22–34 | West Bowling | 13 January, 14:00 | Oulton Sports Pavilion | | Not given |
| Wests Warriors | 28–40 | Newsome Panthers | 13 January, 14:30 | Twyford Avenue Sports Ground | M. Cowan | Not given |
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 56–60 | Medway Dragons | 13 January, 15:00 | Chiswick RFC | G. Winnard | Not given |
| Orrell St James | 20–40 | Haresfinch | 14 January, 14:00 | Orrell St James Social Club | D. Arnold | Not given |
| Source: |||||||

## Second round

Challenge Cup round 2 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Leigh Miners Rangers | 18–19 | Stanningley | 27 January, 12:30 | Twist Lane | S. Jenkinson | Not given |
| Clock Face Miners | 04–38 | Siddal | 27 January, 13:30 | Clock Face Miners Recreation | L. Flavell | Not given |
| Doncaster Toll Bar | 18–40 | West Hull | 27 January, 13:30 | Doncaster Toll Bar Sports Club | O. Salmon | Not given |
| Fryston Warriors | 00–68 | Hunslet ARLFC | 27 January, 14:00 | Fryston Social Club | M. Clayton | Not given |
| Hull Dockers | 00–38 | Wath Brow Hornets | 27 January, 14:00 | The Willows Sports Club | C. Hughes | Not given |
| Lock Lane | 72–00 | Edinburgh Eagles | 27 January, 14:00 | Lock Lane Sports Centre | M. Mckelvey | Not given |
| Wests Warriors | 28–22 | Rochdale Mayfield | 27 January, 14:00 | Twyford Avenue Sports Ground | M. Cowan | Not given |
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 32–10 | West Bowling | 27 January, 17:00 | Chiswick RFC | G. Winnard | Not given |
| Royal Navy | 24–32 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 28 January, 12:30 | United Services Recreation Ground | H. Winnard | Not given |
| Orrell St James | 12–22 | York Acorn | 28 January, 14:00 | Orrell St James Social Club | W. Turley | Not given |
| Source: |||||||

## Third round

The draws for the third and fourth rounds were made live on the BBC Sport website on 29 January. The draw took place at Widnes Vikings' DCBL Stadium. Hosted by broadcaster Tanya Arnold, the draw was made by brothers Mike and Steve O'Neill, both of whom played for Widnes in the club's 1983–84 Challenge Cup final victory.
Challenge Cup round 3 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Barrow Raiders | 10–22 | Oldham | 10 February, 12:30 | Craven Park | M. Griffiths | 1,401 |
| Cornwall | 10–18 | York Acorn | 10 February, 13:00 | The Memorial Ground | K. Young | |
| Lock Lane | 06–46 | Hunslet ARLFC | 10 February, 14:00 | Lock Lane Sports Centre | S. Jenkinson | |
| Sheffield Eagles | 88–12 | Newcastle Thunder | 10 February, 14:00 | Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium | D. Arnold | 617 |
| Stanningley | 4–30 | Wath Brow Hornets | 10 February, 14:00 | Arthur Miller Stadium | C. Hughes | |
| Siddal | 6–70 | Wakefield Trinity | 10 February, 14:00 | Chevinedge | L. Bland | 900 |
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 22–12 | Wests Warriors | 10 February, 14:30 | Chiswick R.F.C. | H. Winnard | |
| Batley Bulldogs | 48–18 | Workington Town | 11 February, 14:00 | Mount Pleasant | K. Moore | |
| Dewsbury Rams | 8–14 | York Knights | 11 February, 14:00 | Crown Flatt | M. Smaill | 824 |
| Thatto Heath Crusaders | 0–72 | Featherstone Rovers | 11 February, 14:00 | Crusader Park | S. Houghton | |
| Bradford Bulls | 48–2 | North Wales Crusaders | 11 February, 15:00 | Odsal Stadium | B. Milligan | |
| Halifax Panthers | 32–4 | Whitehaven | 11 February, 15:00 | The Shay | C. Worsley | |
| Hunslet | 14–22 | Keighley Cougars | 11 February, 15:00 | South Leeds Stadium | A. Sweet | 817 |
| Rochdale Hornets | 24–20 | Midlands Hurricanes | 11 February, 15:00 | Spotland Stadium | M. Lynn | 411 |
| Swinton Lions | 50–6 | West Hull | 11 February, 15:00 | Heywood Road | T. Jones | 441 |
| Widnes Vikings | 50–16 | Doncaster | 11 February, 15:00 | DCBL Stadium | L. Rush | 788 |
| Source: |||||||

## Fourth round

Challenge Cup round 4 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| York Acorn | 32–28 | Wath Brow Hornets | 24 February, 14:00 | Thanet Road | N. Bennett | |
| Halifax Panthers | 50–40 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 24 February, 17:00 | The Shay | B. Milligan | 724 |
| Bradford Bulls | 12–26 | Widnes Vikings | 25 February, 12:30 | Odsal Stadium | B. Thaler | |
| Batley Bulldogs | 30–14 | Rochdale Hornets | 25 February, 14:00 | Mount Pleasant | M. Smaill | |
| Wakefield Trinity | 78–60 | Hunslet ARLFC | 25 February, 14:00 | Belle Vue | M. Lynn | 2,775 |
| Keighley Cougars | 14–58 | Featherstone Rovers | 25 February, 15:00 | Cougar Park | S. Mikalauskas | 1,477 |
| York Knights | 16–32 | Sheffield Eagles | 25 February, 15:00 | York Community Stadium | L. Rush | |
| Swinton Lions | 28–12 | Oldham | 25 February, 18:00 | Heywood Road | C. Worsley | 746 |
| Source: |||||||

## Fifth round

The fifth round draw was conducted on BBC Radio Leeds on 25 February.
Challenge Cup round 5 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Swinton Lions | 12–14 | Sheffield Eagles | 9 March, 12:30 | Heywood Road | M. Griffiths | 412 |
| Widnes Vikings | 14–18 | Batley Bulldogs | 9 March, 18:00 | DCBL Stadium | L. Rush | 1,067 |
| Featherstone Rovers | 014–10 | Wakefield Trinity | 10 March, 15:00 | Post Office Road | B. Thaler | |
| Halifax Panthers | 62–60 | York Acorn | 10 March, 15:00 | The Shay | K. Moore | 785 |
| Source: |||||||

## Sixth round

The sixth round draw was made on 11 March on BBC Sportsday. The draw was conducted by Iestyn Harris. The ties were played over the weekend of 22–24 March.
Challenge Cup round 6 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Hull KR | 40–00 | Salford Red Devils | 22 March, 20:00 | Craven Park, Hull | L. Moore | |
| Leeds Rhinos | 06–20 | St Helens | 22 March, 20:00 | Headingley Stadium | C. Kendall | 7,108 |
| Wigan Warriors | 44–18 | Sheffield Eagles | 22 March, 20:00 | DW Stadium | J. Vella | 5,733 |
| Huddersfield Giants | 50–60 | Hull FC | 23 March, 14:00 | John Smiths Stadium | A. Moore | 1,673 |
| Leigh Leopards | 26–14 | Featherstone Rovers | 23 March, 14:00 | Leigh Sports Village | J. Smith | 4,287 |
| Batley Bulldogs | 14–28 | Castleford Tigers | 23 March, 15:00 | Mount Pleasant | M. Griffiths | |
| Warrington Wolves | 42–00 | London Broncos | 23 March, 17:30 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | T. Grant | 3,416 |
| Halifax Panthers | 04–40 | Catalans Dragons | 24 March, 15:00 | The Shay | L. Rush | 1,811 |
| Source: |||||||

## Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals was made on 25 March. The ties will be played 12–14 April.
Challenge Cup round 6 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Hull KR | 26–14 | Leigh Leopards | 13 April, 17:00 | Sewell Group Craven Park | C. Kendall | |
| Catalans Dragons | 06–34 | Huddersfield Giants | 13 April, 19:00 | Stade Gilbert Brutus | A. Moore | 5,892 |
| Castleford Tigers | 06–60 | Wigan Warriors | 14 April, 15:00 | Mend-A-Hose Jungle | L. Moore | 4,097 |
| St Helens | 08–31 | Warrington Wolves | 14 April, 16:30 | Totally Wicked Stadium | J. Smith | 11,280 |
| Source: |||||||

## Semi-finals

The draw for the semi-finals was made on 14 April, during half time in the match between St Helens and Warrington. The ties were played on 18 and 19 May as part of a double header, alongside the women's semi finals.
Challenge Cup semi final fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Hull KR | 06–38 | Wigan Warriors | 18 May, 13:45 | Eco-Power Stadium | C. Kendall | 11,163 |
| Huddersfield Giants | 10–46 | Warrington Wolves | 19 May, 15:15 | Totally Wicked Stadium | L. Moore | 9,253 |
| Source: |||||||

## Final

The tie was played on 8 June as part of a triple header, alongside the women's final, and the 1895 Cup final. Following the death of Rob Burrow on 2 June, the RFL announced that kick-off for the final would be put back from 3pm to 3:07pm to honour Rob and the number seven shirt he wore. Rob's death was also commemorated with a minute's silence before kick-off and with a minute's applause during the seventh minute of the game.
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Wigan Warriors | 18–80 | Warrington Wolves | 8 June, 15:07 | Wembley Stadium | Chris Kendall | 64,845 |
| Source: |||||||

## Broadcast matches

Broadcast matches :
| Round | Match | Date | Broadcast method |
| 1st | Royal Navy v Royal Air Force | 13 January | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button |
| 1st | Fryston Warriors v British Army | 13 January | Streamed live on BFBS Sport |
| 1st | Orrell St James v Haresfinch | 14 January | Streamed live on The Sportsman |
| 2nd | Leigh Miners Rangers v Stanningley | 27 January | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button |
| 2nd | Orrell St James v York Acorn | 28 January | Streamed live on The Sportsman |
| 3rd | Barrow Raiders v Oldham | 10 February | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button |
| 3rd | Dewsbury Rams v York Knights | 11 February | Streamed live on The Sportsman |
| 4th | Bradford Bulls v Widnes Vikings | 24 February | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button |
| 4th | Swinton Lions v Oldham | 25 February | Streamed live on The Sportsman |
| 5th | Swinton Lions v Sheffield Eagles | 9 March | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button |
| 5th | Featherstone Rovers v Wakefield Trinity | 10 March | Streamed live on The Sportsman |
| 6th | Leeds Rhinos v St Helens | 22 March | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button. |
| 6th | Leigh Leopards v Featherstone Rovers | 23 March | Streamed live on The Sportsman |
| QF | Hull KR v Leigh Leopards | 13 April | Broadcast live on BBC Two |
| QF | St Helens v Warrington Wolves | 14 April | Broadcast live on BBC Two |
| SF | Hull KR v Wigan Warriors | 18 May | Broadcast live on BBC One |
| SF | Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves | 19 May | Broadcast live on BBC Two |
| Final | Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves | 8 June | Broadcast live on BBC One |